Shoe Insert

ABSTRACT

A shoe insert for maintaining the shape and structure of a shoe. When placed in a shoe, the shoe insert applies pressure to the walls of the shoe, preventing the shape of the shoe from deteriorating over time. The shoe insert is made from a compressible form-fitting material that allows the shoe insert to form itself to the contours of a variety of shapes and sizes of shoes.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/963,350 filed 3 Aug. 2007, the entire contents of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a shoe insert, and inparticular to a malleable form-fitting shoe insert that can adjust tofit various sizes and styles of shoes.

BACKGROUND

Shoetrees and shoe inserts have been used to maintain the shape offootwear for many years. When shoes sit idle without a firm footsubstitute in place, they will naturally begin to fall out of shape andoften become ruffled and wrinkled. Generally, a shoe insert solves thisproblem by occupying the front tip of the shoe to support the structureof the shoe. As such, a shoe insert is important for the long term careof the shoe, as it serves to reduce the amount of creases in the fabricof the shoe and helps to maintain the shoe's overall shape aftercontinued wear.

As footwear designs have become more plentiful, so has the range ofdesigns of shoetrees and shoe inserts available to support them. Themarket contains an assortment of shoetrees and shoe inserts of variousshapes and materials, each typically designed for use with a specificshoe type. Among those materials are plastic, recycled formedpaperboard, wood and/or plastic with spacer bar compositions, and moldedtissue paper. Each of these materials have some disadvantages.

A shortfall of many currently used shoe inserts is that they are notcapable of supporting a variety of shoe shapes and sizes. For example,recycled formed paperboard and plastic inserts are rigid and offer nocompression that would allow them to form to the shape of a shoe.Pre-formed shoe inserts are custom molded and thus generally only fitthe style of shoe they were packaged with. Wood and spacer bar shoeinserts are capable of achieving varying lengths, however the toe memberthey use for engaging the front portion of the shoe is fixed and has nocompression to accommodate different toe boxes. Additionally wood andspacer bar shoe inserts require mechanical embodiments that are noteasily engaged in the shoe and generally only accommodate loafer-styleshoes and cannot be used with heels, flats, boots or sandals.

Another shortfall of many currently used shoe inserts is that they arenot durable. For example, molded tissue paper inserts are made from thintissue paper that decomposes rapidly after repeated insertion into ashoe. Recycled formed paperboard inserts are rigid and break easily.Likewise, hollow plastic inserts offer some compression but are prone tobreakage after repeated use.

What is needed therefore is a shoe insert capable of use with a widevariety of shoe types.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is the objective of the present invention to provide a shoe insertthat will accommodate shoes of a variety of shapes and sizes. It is afurther objective of the present invention to provide a shoe insert thatis both durable and reusable.

In one embodiment a shoe insert in accordance with the present inventionincludes a moldable, malleable, compressible, form-fitting material thatallows the shoe insert to take on the shape of interior portions of avariety of shoes of different shapes and sizes.

In one embodiment the shoe insert includes a toe portion, a vamp portionand a rear portion that can be inserted into the toe portion of a shoe.

In another embodiment, the shoe insert includes a toe portion, a vampportion and a heel portion, that create a malleable foot shape.

In a further embodiment, the shoe insert includes a toe portion, a vampportion, a heel portion and a vertical portion in the shape of a footand lower leg. The toe portion, vamp portion, and heel portion are madeof a malleable material.

The features, functions, and advantages of the present invention will bereadily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the followingdetailed description of the embodiments of the present invention withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can best be understood in connection with theaccompanying drawings. However, no unnecessary limitations are to beconstrued by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what isshown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplaryonly, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.

It is noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shownin drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a top view of a shoe insert, in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1C shows a sectional schematic view of a shoe insert, in accordancewith exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a shoe, in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows top view of a shoe insert, in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2C shows a sectional view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4B shows a sectional view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a shoe, in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6B shows a top view of a shoe insert, in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6C shows a sectional view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8B shows a sectional of a shoe insert, in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8C shows a sectional of a shoe insert, in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10A shows a top view of a shoe insert, in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10B shows a sectional view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11A shows a side view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11B shows a side view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13A shows a sectional view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13B shows a sectional view of a shoe insert, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following exemplary embodiments disclose shoe inserts that featurethe use of a compressible, malleable, moldable form-fitting material.Polyurethane, polyurethane foam, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), thermomoldable foam, memory foam, rubber, a fabric sack filled with beads, PVCfoam (polyvinyl chloride), EPE foam (polyethylene), latex foam, silicongel, an antimicrobial material such as polyolefin, or some combinationof these materials may be used to constitute the compressible, moldablematerial. The aforementioned list is merely illustrative, as othercompressible, moldable materials are known and would be obvious to oneof ordinary skill in the art. Likewise, the present invention isdirected towards a shoe insert, and the word “shoe” is understood torefer to all footwear, including, but not limited to, dress shoes,casual shoes, pumps, flats, high heels, sneaker boots, sandals, wedgesandals, platform shoes, loafers, boat shoes, boots, slippers, sneakers,golf shoes, ballet shoes, and ballroom shoes.

Referring now in detail to the figures, wherein like reference numeralsrepresent like parts throughout the several views, one exemplaryembodiment is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, which illustrates a shoe insert100. The shoe insert 100 includes a vamp portion 104 that is connectedto both a toe portion 102 and a rear portion 106. The shoe insert 100 ismade of a unitary construction of a compressible, malleable, moldableform-fitting material, which allows the shoe insert 100 to occupy a toeportion of a range of shapes and sizes of shoes by forming to thecontours it encounters. As shown in FIG. 1C, once the shoe insert 100 isinserted into the toe portion of a shoe, the toe portion 102 engages thetoe portion of the shoe, and the vamp portion 104 engages the vampportion of the shoe, allowing the shoe insert 100 to exert pressure onthe walls of the shoe, maintaining the shape of the shoe. The rearportion 106 may have either a planar or an indented face. In exemplaryembodiments, the shoe insert 100 may contain either a fragrance and/oran antibacterial.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which also illustrate that the shoeinsert's 100 moldable, form-fitting material allow the shoe insert 100to take on a variety of shapes. FIG. 2C further illustrates that theshoe insert 100 can accommodate a shoe of different shapes and sizes.FIG. 1C and FIG. 2C show that the shoe insert 100 is useful for,although not limited to, shoes with heels, as it can form to pointed toeshoes such as that shown in FIG. 1C, or rounded toe shoe, such as thatshown in FIG. 2C, and is in neither case obstructed by the rising heelof the shoe.

Another exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIG. 3, which shows a shoeinsert 300 that includes a vamp portion 304 that is connected to a toeportion 302 and a rear portion 306. The vamp portion 304, the toeportion 302 and the rear portion 306 are all made of a compressible,malleable, moldable form-fitting material, that collectively encompass arigid member 308, which may have generally the same shape as the shoeinsert 300. The rigid member 308 may be made of any solid material,including, but not limited to, metal, wood, plastic, cardboard, orstone. The combination of the compression provided by the vamp portion304, the toe portion 302 and the rear portion 306, combined with thestability provided by the rigid member 308 allow the shoe insert 300 tobe more sturdily inserted into the toe portion of a shoe, whilemaintaining a high degree of compressibility.

Another exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B which show ashoe insert 400 that includes a vamp portion 404 that is connected to atoe portion 402 and a rear portion 406. The vamp portion 404, the toeportion 402 and the rear portion 406 are all made of a compressible,malleable, moldable form-fitting material. The rear portion 406 includesa first aperture 200 that extends towards the toe portion 402. The firstaperture 200 is joined by a second aperture 202, which extends from anupper surface of the first aperture 200, towards the vamp portion 404.These two apertures are useful in allowing a user to insert their fingerinto the shoe insert 400 to both push it into a shoe, and pull it out ofa shoe. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, a single continuousaperture could be utilized. In yet another exemplary embodiment, amultitude of apertures could be utilized, allowing the user to grip theshoe insert 400 with multiple fingers.

Another exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIG. 5, which shows a shoeinsert 500 that includes a vamp portion 504 that is connected to a toeportion 502 and a rear portion 506. The vamp portion 504, the toeportion 502 and the rear portion 506 are all made of a compressible,malleable, moldable form-fitting material. The shoe insert 500 alsoincludes a rigid member 508 that extends outwardly from the rear portion506, generally in a direction that is opposite to the toe portion 502.The rigid member 508 can serve as a rigid handle that allows for easier,more forceful insertion and removal of the shoe insert 500. The rigidmember can be made of any on of a number of rigid materials, including,but not limited to metal, wood, plastic, cardboard, or stone. The rigidmember 508 can be formed in many shapes, including, but not limited to acylindrical rod, a rectangular rod, or any form that is designed to beeasily gripped by a hand.

Another exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C. Thesefigures show a shoe insert 600 that includes a vamp member 604 that isconnected to both a toe member 602 and a heel member 606. Shoe insert600 is made of a unitary construction of a compressible, malleable,moldable form-fitting material, which allows the shoe insert 600 tooccupy the toe portion and heel portion of a range of shapes and sizesof shoes, by forming to the contours it encounters. As shown in FIG. 6C,once the shoe insert 600 is inserted into a shoe, the toe member 602engages the toe portion of the shoe, the vamp member 604 engages thevamp portion of the shoe, and the heel member 606 engages the heelportion of the shoe, allowing the shoe insert 600 to exert pressure onthe walls of the shoe, maintaining its shape. As depicted by FIG. 6C,shoe insert 600 is useful for maintaining the shape of shoes that have aheel, such as loafers, pumps and running shoes.

Another exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIG. 7, which shows a shoeinsert 700 that includes a vamp member 704 that is connected to a toemember 702 and a heel member 706. The vamp member 704, the toe member702 and the heel member 706 are all made of a compressible, malleable,moldable form-fitting material, that collectively encompass a rigidmember 708, which may have generally the same shape as the shoe insert700. The rigid member 708 may be made of any solid material, including,but not limited to, metal, wood, plastic, cardboard, or stone. Thecombination of the compression provided by the vamp member 704, the toemember 702 and the heel member 706, combined with the stability providedby the rigid member 708 allow the shoe insert 700 to be more sturdilyinserted into a shoe, while maintaining a high degree ofcompressibility.

Another exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, whichshow a shoe insert 800 that includes a vamp member 804, a toe member802, a heel member 806 and an extension member 808. The vamp member 804,the toe member 802 and the heel member 806 are all made of acompressible, malleable, moldable form-fitting material. The extensionmember 808 may be made of any rigid material, including, but not limitedto metal, wood, plastic, cardboard, or stone. The toe member 802 isdirectly connected to the vamp member 804 which form a front member 803.The front member 803 is connected to the heel member 806 through theextension member 808. When inserted into a shoe, the front member 803 ofthe shoe insert 800 will engage the toe portion of a shoe, while theheel member 806 of the shoe insert 800 will engage the heel portion of ashoe. Since the front member 803 and heel member 806 are both made froma form-fitting material, the shoe insert 800 is useful for, but notlimited to, a variety of shoes with heels.

In another exemplary embodiment, the extension member 808 is movablyaffixed to the front member 803. The connection between the front memberand the extension member may be a ball and socket joint, a hinge, or anyother joint that allows for movement, such connections would be known tothose skilled in the art. When the extension member 808 is free to moverelative to the front member 803, it allows the heel member 806 to takeadopt different vertical and horizontal positions as depicted by FIGS.8B and 8C. This allows shoe insert 800 to accommodate a greater range ofshoes, from flat-bottomed to heeled shoes.

Another exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIG. 9, which shows a shoeinsert 900 that includes a vamp member 904 that is connected to a toemember 902 and a heel member 906. The vamp member 904, the toe member902 and the heel member 906 are all made of a compressible, malleable,moldable form-fitting material, that collectively encompass a rigidmember 908. Rigid member 908 is generally the shape of the collectiveform of the toe member 902 and the vamp member 904. The rigid member 908may be made of any solid material, including, but not limited to, metal,wood, plastic, cardboard, or stone. Since the rigid member 908 residesin the toe/vamp portion of the shoe insert 900, it allows the shoeinsert 900 to be anchored in the toe portion of a shoe, while leavingthe heel member 906 in a position to be flexible. As such, the shoeinsert 900 can be used to accommodate both flat-heeled and rising-heeledshoes.

Another exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10B, whichshow a shoe insert 010 that includes a vamp member 014 that is connectedto both a toe member 012 and a heel member 016. Shoe insert 010 is madeof a unitary construction of a compressible, malleable, moldableform-fitting material. The heel member 016 includes an aperture 018. Theaperture 018 facilitates the insertion and removal of the shoe insert010 by providing a channel for air to flow, and by providing a grip forthe user. In another exemplary embodiment the heel member may includes aplurality of apertures 018.

Another exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 11A and 11B, whichshow a shoe insert 110 that includes a vamp member 114 that is connectedto a toe member 112, a heel member 116, and a vertical member 118. Shoeinsert 110 is made of a unitary construction of a compressible,malleable, moldable form-fitting material, which allows the shoe insert110 to occupy the toe portion, heel portion and lower leg portion of arange of shapes and sizes of shoes, by forming to the contours itencounters. As shown in FIG. 11B, once the shoe insert 110 is insertedinto a shoe, the toe member 112 engages the toe portion of the shoe, thevamp member 114 engages the vamp portion of the shoe, the heel member116 engages the heel portion of the shoe, and the vertical member 118engages the lower leg portion of the shoe, allowing the shoe insert 110to exert pressure on the walls of the shoe, maintaining its shape. Asdepicted by FIG. 11B, shoe insert 110 is useful for maintaining theshape of shoes that have a raised throat, such as boots or high-tops.

Another exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIG. 12, which shows a shoeinsert 120 that includes a vamp member 124 that is connected to a toemember 122, a heel member 126 and a vertical member 128. The vamp member124, toe member 122, heel member 126 and vertical member 128 are allmade of a compressible, malleable, moldable form-fitting material, thatcollectively encompass a rigid member 204 that is of roughly the sameshape as the shoe insert 120. The rigid member 204 may be made of anysolid material, including, but not limited to, metal, wood, plastic,cardboard, or stone.

Yet another exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIG. 13A and 13B, whichshow a shoe insert 130 that includes a vamp member 134, a toe member132, a heel member 136, a vertical member 138 and a collapsibleextension member 206. The vamp member 134, toe member 132, heel member136 and vertical member 138 are all made of a compressible, malleable,moldable form-fitting material. The extension member 206 may be made ofany rigid material, including, but not limited to metal, wood, plastic,cardboard, or stone. The toe member 132 is directly connected to thevamp member 134 which form a front member 133. The heel member 136 isdirectly connected to the vertical member 138 which form a rear member137. The front member 133 and rear member 137 are connected by thecollapsible extension member 206, which provides support between thefront member 133 and rear member 137 when the shoe insert 130 isinserted into a shoe. The collapsible extension member 206 may includethe use of a spring-loaded rod contained in a hollow rod, a bracketedadjustable rod such as present in conventional umbrellas, or any othermethod of constructing a collapsible member that would be known to thoseskilled in the art. As depicted in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the collapsiblenature of the extension member 206 will allow the user to adjust thedistance between the front member 133 and the rear member 137. Thecapability to adjust the distance between the two pieces will allow theshoe insert 130 to fit a greater range of shoes. In another embodiment,the front member 133 and the rear member 137 would not be connected withanything and would remain as two distinct pieces, capable of separateinsertion into a shoe.

Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in theforegoing description, together with details of structure and function.While the invention has been disclosed in several forms, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions,and deletions, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement ofparts, can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the followingclaims. Therefore, other modifications or embodiments as may besuggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved as they fallwithin the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

1. A shoe insert, comprising: a body operable for insertion into aninterior toe portion of a shoe, said body comprising a toe portion and arear portion, said toe portion being connected to said rear portion viaa vamp portion, said toe portion having a form-fitting end receivablewithin the interior toe portion of said shoe, said body formed of acompressible, form-fitting material, whereby said body is capable ofsupporting a variety of shapes and sizes of shoes.
 2. The shoe insert ofclaim 1, wherein said form-fitting material is comprised ofpolyurethane.
 3. The shoe insert of claim 1, wherein said body has afragrance and an antibacterial incorporated therein.
 4. The shoe insertof claim 1, wherein a rigid member of the approximate shape of said bodyis contained within said body.
 5. The shoe insert of claim 1, wherein asurface of said rear portion comprises a first aperture extendingtowards said vamp portion, said first aperture comprising an uppersurface which includes a second aperture, said second aperture extendingfrom said upper surface generally towards vamp of said shoe, whereby auser can place their fingers in the respective apertures to push theshoe insert into the shoe, or pull it out.
 6. The shoe insert of claim1, wherein a rigid rear member extends substantially away from said toeportion.
 7. A shoe insert, comprising: a toe member comprising acompressible form-fitting material, said toe member having a rounded endsuitable for installation into a toe portion of a shoe; a vamp membercomprising a compressible form-fitting material, said vamp memberoperable for supporting a vamp portion of said shoe; and a heel membercomprising a compressible form-fitting material, said heel member havinga rounded edge suitable for receipt by a heel portion of said shoe, saidshoe may be of varying sizes and designs.
 8. The shoe insert of claim 7,wherein said vamp member, said toe member and said heel member aredirectly connected and form a single continuous body approximating ashape of a foot.
 9. The shoe insert of claim 8, wherein said continuousbody contains a rigid member of similar shape to said continuous body.10. The shoe insert of claim 7, wherein said vamp member is directlyconnected to said toe member forming a single continuous front member,said heel member is connected to said front member through an extensionmember.
 11. The shoe insert of claim 10, wherein said extension memberis movably affixed to said front member.
 12. The shoe insert of claim 8,wherein said toe member and said vamp member comprise a rigid bodydisposed generally in the center of said toe member and said vampmember.
 13. The shoe insert of claim 8, wherein said heel membercontains an aperture, whereby installation and removal of the shoeinsert is made facilitated by said aperture.
 14. A shoe insert,comprising: a toe member comprising a compressible form-fittingmaterial, said toe member having a rounded end suitable for installationinto a portion of a shoe; a vamp member comprising a compressibleform-fitting material, said vamp member operable for supporting a vampportion of said shoe; a heel member comprising a compressibleform-fitting material, said heel member having a rounded edge suitablefor receipt by a heel portion of said shoe; a vertical member comprisinga compressible form-fitting material, said vertical member extendinggenerally vertically from said heel member.
 15. The shoe insert of claim14, wherein said vamp member, said toe member, said heel member and saidvertical member are directly connected, forming a single continuous bodyapproximating a shape of a foot and ankle.
 16. The shoe insert of claim15, wherein said insert contains a rigid member of similar shape to saidcontinuous body.
 17. The shoe insert of claim 14, wherein said vampmember is directly connected to said toe member forming a singlecontinuous front member, said vertical member is directly connected tosaid heel member forming a single continuous rear member.
 18. The shoeinsert of claim 17, wherein said front and rear members are connectedthrough an extension member.
 19. The shoe insert of claim 18, whereinsaid extension member is collapsible when opposing inward forwards areapplied at both ends, thereby allowing for the distance between saidfront and said rear members to be adjusted.